Liverpool’s world dance specialists “Movema” are preparing to launch their online dance challenge to get young people dancing away the blues.
The team behind Movema’s Unlock the Box youth outreach programme – funded by BBC Children In Need and Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership – have been busy changing their approach to ensure they can still reach out to young people during lockdown.
Last year the dance company reached out to 334 young people in Liverpool and Knowsley through dance activities that encouraged bringing different young people together to learn about each other and the communities in which they live.
Young people explore different cultures and languages through World In a Box, Movema’s innovative and fun resource, and get the opportunity to perform and train as youth dance leaders.
Although dance classes are now going to be online, Movema are really excited about how this can expand their reach and provide an avenue of self expression, connectivity and an opportunity to learn something new and fun during times of isolation.
For this project, Movema are working with NeuroLove, an organisation created to support young people (especially Looked After young people), to maintain their emotional and physical wellbeing at a time when stress and anxiety levels are high for everyone. As part of the programme, Movema are delivering weekly virtual dance sessions to respond to young peoples likes and to help them structure their day.
Movema are also teaming up with Kinship Carers Liverpool, a charity who support people who look after a family member’s child or friend’s child in their own home, on a full time basis. Through this partnership the Liverpool dance company are able to reach out to young people who are experiencing complex trauma and transition.
“Kinship Carers are really looking forward to getting our young people and their families involved in Movema’s dance challenge. Movema get people moving together which is so good for our mental and physical wellbeing. The fact it is online using platforms such as TikTok and YouTube will not only get our young people excited but will also develop relationships with Carers and guardians as the young people teach them how the technology works. We cannot wait to get our dancing shoes on!! Beyoncé to strictly here we come!” Pauline Thornley, Kinship Carers, Project Coordinator
The online programme will allow Movema to connect with twenty neighbourhoods that they have reached out to over the last 6 years, as well as developing new and existing partnerships to create a youth lead programme for young people in the North west.
Movema’s partner school LIPA Primary, serving keyworkers children during lockdown, are also lending their support.
“Movema’s World in a Box online is a great resource to encourage our pupils to explore culture and language through dance and we are really looking forward to working with Movema again to address the barriers of learning. Dance delivered in a fun and accessible way connects with children who may be experiencing social, emotional and mental health difficulties; it improves low self-esteem and supports creating positive foundations for learning” – Greg Parker, LIPA Primary, Head Teacher
Movema’s Dance Fusion Tik Tok Challenge which will provide a platform for young people to respond to the global “Lockdown” through dance.
The challenge will share different dance styles from around the world such as Bollywood, Samba, Kuduro and more, with young people being asked to respond by incorporating these styles whilst representing themselves and how they like to move. Those taking apart could fuse the styles with the Cha Cha Cha, break dance or even the latest Fortnite moves.
“We are so excited to reach out to young people through dance, and get them to share and express themselves. Our youth dance programme “Unlock the Box” had a big dance performance scheduled in March that we had to cancel, but this platform will provide those young people and more an opportunity to share their journeys in dance.” Sheetal Maru, Associate artist, Movema
Movema will be launching their dedicated youth dance programme in June, releasing weekly content via Movema World dance YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/user/MovemaDance.